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Hi everyone! I’m honored to be on Brenda’s blog today to talk about the reality of contests. Four years ago, I started seriously pursuing a career in writing. After revising my first manuscript for what seemed like a gazillion times (realistically, probably twelve at that point), I got serious about querying. I only sent out a handful, but ran straight into brick walls.

Then I discovered Twitter and the amazing Brenda Drake! Immediately upon stumbling into the Twitter online writing community, it was clear that Brenda Drake was (and still is) a person to follow for encouragement, tips, inspiration, and access to the elusive agents and editors through her contests. Brenda ran ALL the amazing contests: my favorite being PitchMadness and PitchWars. I remember taking weeks to perfect my first thirty five word pitch for her contests.

Weeks!

The moment I pushed send to enter, I was nauseous. So insanely nauseous. I knew that if I made it into one of her contests, I’d have a shot. But I didn’t get in. That’s okay. There’s always next time. So I entered again. … And again. … AND… what’s that? You guessed it! Again!

And guess what? I never made it into a final round of anything! Every time I entered, I felt like I was putting my heart out there with my best work and biggest prayer and each rejection felt like someone jabbing their stiletto clear through it.

Seriously. I never got ANYWHERE in her contests. But striving to improve and the essential feedback from the glorious writers who volunteer to help Brenda with her contests is what made the biggest difference for me.

I took that feedback and held tight to the community I’d found through those contests. I became a better writer. My story became more appealing! Suddenly, I was getting agent requests off my queries and first 250. A small press even requested!

Fast forward to today, and my second novel, Perfectly Messy, is being released. My first novel, Effortless With You, is an international multi category Amazon bestseller.

I’m here not because I won contests or even succeeded marginally in contests.

I’m here because of what I learned from contests and the supportive writing community.

Interested in Lizzy Charles’ novels Effortless With You and Perfectly Messy? They are available on Amazon, Nook, iBooks, and most ebook readers. Prefer a book you can actually hold in your hand and smell? Both novels are available in print via Amazon and available to order through many local bookstores if you ask. 🙂

Lizzy Charles lives in the Twin Cities and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. When she isn’t raising her three children or caring for premature and sick babies as a neonatal intensive care nurse, she’s seeking refuge with her laptop, sparkling water, and dark chocolate. She married her high school sweetheart, a swoon-worthy musician, so it’s no surprise she’s fallen in love with writing contemporary YA romance novels.

What an awesome story!! I just started doing contests a few months ago. I can’t even put into words the amount of valuable feedback I have received by putting myself out there. I don’t know what I would do without it. I’m so glad I stumbled onto PitchMad one morning in March. It was the best thing I could have done for myself!

Thanks to those who host these contests. The success stories that come from these contests are so inspiring. 🙂

Great post Lizzy! I totally agree- Brenda’s contests are such a great place to learn and be inspired. Glad to know I’m not the only one who almost barfs after every “send” encounter 😀 Thanks Lizzy! Thanks Brenda…you rule!

Yay, submission barfing buddies! We could start a group…wait, Brenda has already banded us together with her amazing contests. I have also never gotten anywhere with a contest but have gleaned so much and as a result my story and query are transforming. Great post!

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Pitch Wars is a mentoring program where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions on how to make the manuscript shine for an agent showcase.